How to Convert MBR to GPT on Windows 10

The GUID Partition Table (GPT) hard drive gives you more exciting features than the traditional Master boot record (MBR) hard drive, this is a newer and more convenient partitioning method. Among the main features of GPT is that it gives the ability to store multiple copies of the data within the OS. In case the data is overwritten or corrupted, the GPT partitioning method allows to restore it and make the operating system functioning again (you can’t do that using MBR disk). This time we will show you how to convert MBR to GPT on Windows 10 machine using built-in OS features.

Important! All the instructions below must be performed by using account with administrator privileges.

How to Convert MBR to GPT by Using Windows 10 Built-in Features?

It’s important to mention that you can change partitioning method on the disk that doesn’t have partitions or they were deleted. That means that all your data will be deleted too, so you need to back up your files to prevent data loss.

It’s also important to mention that this method is not applicable to the system drive (where all OS files located). If you want to convert MBR to GPT on system drive, you need to re-install Windows and change the partitioning method during the installation (you can find the appropriate instructions in this article too).

When you’ve created backup, follow the instructions below:

Press Win + X and choose Disk management, wait a little until the system loads info about all connected disks;

Right click on the needed drive. In the context menu you will notice that option Convert to GPT Disk is unavailable (that’s because you need to delete all partitions on the disk);

Run Command prompt with administrator privileges;

Type in and run command DiskPart, then command list disk. After that you will see a list of connected drives – you need to note the number of the drive on which you want to delete all partitions;

Now type in and run select disk X (X – a number of the chosen disk). After that run command clean. The system will clear all disk and all partitions on it, after that you will be able to convert it to GPT by using Disk management. After converting you can mark partitions on the disk (maximum is 128 partitions);

Go to Disk management again, right click on the disc on which you deleted all partitions and choose Convert to GPT Disk;

Tip. You can also finish the instructions via console, it’s not necessary to go to Disk management section again:

Type in and run list disk, and then run select disk X (X – type in a disk number which you want to use);

Now run command convert mbr. Press Enter and wait until the process finishes.

After that you can mark the partitions. You can do that by using Command prompt, but it can be much easier by using Disk management section.

How to Convert MBR to GPT During Windows 10 Installation?

Instructions above can be performed not only in case you want to change partitioning method, but also in the situation when you are facing error Windows cannot be installed to this disk. the selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI system, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks. That means that you will have to change partitioning method form MBR to GPT while installing Windows to UEFI based computer. It’s important to mention that you will lose all data on the disk!

Converting MBR to GPT during Windows installation can be performed by using a few commands. Follow these easy steps:

When the Windows installer interface loads (or when the error mentioned above appears), press Shift + F10 to run the console;

In newly appeared window type in and run command diskpart;

Now you need to run command List disk to display all of the connected drives. Find the disk on which you want to install the operating system;

Type in and run command select disk X (X – a number of the disk that you want to use). For example, the command should look like this: select disk 3;

The next command will clean the MBR table: type in and run clean;

Now you need to convert clean disk to GPT. To do this type in and run command convert gpt;

Now wait until you’ll see a message noticing you that the procedure is completed successful. After that type in and run exit to quit the console. Now you need to continue Windows installation in a usual way. When the PC will be ready, by using Disk management you will see that the system drive now uses GPT partition method.